Bart and the Pirates avoided arbitration Thursday by agreeing to a one-year, $1.75 million deal, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

The No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 First-Year Player Draft was unable to establish himself as the Giants' long-term answer at catcher over parts of four seasons in the big leagues, but the 28-year-old benefited from a change of scenery after he was shipped to Pittsburgh in April. He ended the 2024 campaign as the Pirates' top catcher, having slashed .265/.337/.462 with 13 home runs, 45 RBI and 38 runs across 282 plate appearances. The Pirates have 2021 No. 1 overall pick Henry Davis and 24-year-old Endy Rodriguez on hand as intriguing young options at catcher, but based on his performance last season, Bart will enter spring training as the favorite to open the 2025 campaign as the Bucs' top backstop.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said on Dec. 10 in an interview on MLB Network that Bart will enter 2025 as the favorite to start at catcher, The Bucco Beat reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Pirates acquired Bart shortly after Opening Day and he eventually emerged as the team's primary catcher, slashing .265/.337/.462 with 13 home runs over 280 plate appearances. Endy Rodriguez will be back from elbow surgery and Henry Davis is still around, so Bart will have competition for playing time behind the plate, but he'll enter the season with a leg up for the starting job.

Bart isn't in the Pirates' lineup for Saturday's game against the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

After tallying six hits over his last five games, Bart will take a seat Saturday against Luis Gil and company. Yasmani Grandal will start behind the dish while batting seventh.

Bart is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Bart will grab a breather Wednesday after starting at catcher in both of the past two games. Yasmani Grandal will replace Bart behind the dish.

Bart is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against Cincinnati.

EDGE Analysis

Bart will give way to Yasmani Grandal behind the dish Saturday against Rhett Lowder and the Reds. Bart is 8-for-39 (.205) with a home run and five RBI in his last 12 games.

Bart is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in St. Louis.

EDGE Analysis

Bart started each of the first three games of the series (two at catcher, one at designated hitter), but he'll take a seat for the finale. Yasmani Grandal will be behind the plate and bat eighth.

Bart isn't in the Pirates' lineup for Saturday's game against Kansas City.

EDGE Analysis

Bart will grab a seat on the bench Saturday after going 1-for-3 with an RBI during Friday's loss in the series opener. Yasmani Grandal will fill in behind the dish and bat seventh.

Bart is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

Bart will get a breather for the series opener after he started at catcher in Sunday's series finale versus the Nationals while going 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. Yasmani Grandal will spell Bart behind the dish and will bat seventh.

Bart went 1-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored across both games of Saturday's doubleheader against the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

Bart was activated from the injured list Friday but didn't return to the lineup until the first game of Saturday's doubleheader. The Pirates have a crowded rotation at catcher that also includes Yasmani Grandal and Henry Davis, though Bart has hit well enough this season to also get looks as the team's designated hitter.

Bart isn't in the Pirates' lineup for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader versus Washington.

EDGE Analysis

Bart went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored during a loss in Game 1, and he'll now take a seat to conclude Saturday's festivities. Yasmani Grandal will fill in behind the plate and bat seventh.